Air fryer chicken nuggets that taste like McDonald's without the guilt? Yes please! You know what goes into these nuggets, unlike buying them from the drive up or the freezer section. Bonus - your kids won't know the difference!
18ouncesboneless skinless chicken breasts3-4 breasts (preferably no water added, please see notes)
1 1/2teaspoonsalt
3/4teaspoonparsley flakes
3/4teaspoonoregano
1/4teaspoononion powderheaping
1/4teaspoonpepperheaping
3large eggsbeaten
1 1/2cupsall-purpose flour
1 1/2teaspoonssalt
Cooking spray
Canola oilfor basting
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 360F.
Cut chicken breasts into cubes, then place in a food processor. Process chicken into a fine paste. Transfer processed chicken to a bowl.
Combine salt, parsley, oregano, onion powder, and pepper, and sprinkle over chicken. Combine well.
Whisk eggs together in a small bowl.
Combine the flour and salt and put it on a plate.
Measure chicken paste out with a cookie scoop and roll into 42 balls.
Roll ball in flour, then coat with egg, and then coat in flour again. Use your fingers to press the ball down to make a nugget. gently shake off excess flour.
In the air fryer, spray the basket with cooking spray.
Place enough nuggets in air fryer basket so they are not touching.
Cook at 360F for 7 minutes, then open the air fryer and using a silicone brush, brush lightly with canola oil on both sides of the nuggets.
Cook for another 7 minutes. Do not open air fryer again until done.
Remove with tongs and allow to cool before serving.
Notes
It's important to note that some brands of chicken are injected with water. This will affect the consistency of the chicken paste, making it stickier. I use "Smart Chicken" which states on the package "no water added". You can use whatever you like, simply know that you may find the paste to be sticky if your chicken has been injected.
Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you will need to cook the nuggets in batches. You want to make sure the air circulates around all sides, so fill the basket, but keep the chicken nuggets from touching.
All air fryers are different. You may want to experiment with just a couple nuggets at a time at first to find the right temperature. We feel 360 is safe for most, but you can try between 350 and 365.